Illuminated sign



. P. HAMMOND AND E. Q. MOSES.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED APII. 3o

Patented July 13, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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OOOGOGGJOOOGOGGOGE) l ooooooIpoo INVENTOHS W. P. HAMMOND AND E. Q. MOSES.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

APPLICATION HLED APR. so, i915.

1,346,493. Patented July 13, 1920 3 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

f I L W A TTOR/VEY W. P. HAMMOND AND E. Q. MOSES.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30. 1915.

1,346,493. Patented July' 13, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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1"1' gwnug@ aaaass sanfte@ T7 m nuantow haar I 35124 tto'munf maure` stares @grant wrnnini/i i. irai/incur, or Passaic, new Jnnsnr, .ann ani/ruim center ineens, or

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imi-enea To all lwhom t may concern:

Be it known that we, 'FVILLIAM F. HAM- MOND and EDMUND Quincy-Moens, citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, of Passaic, Newdersey, Aand New York, N ew York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in illuminated Signs, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention relatesto signs for advertising or display purposes in which a figure or design is 'caused to appear, as upon a display board, preferably in illuminated outline.

More particularly the present invention provides means by which any desired design maybe shown upon the board, and different designs shown in rapidl succession, and in which a figure may be caused to appear in successive positions upon different parts of the board so as to produce the appearance of an object in motion, or what is commonly termed a moving picture. ln accordance with our invention it is possible to show a number of different designs, each of which may comprise a series of moving pictures upon the board without in any way changing ormodifying the structure of the board, or the arrangement of the lights thereon, thus making it possible to show a series of different complete pictures or advertisements in rapid succession. J'

lin the accompanying drawings, which show an approved embodiment of our invention, Figure l is a diagrammatic view showing a part of a sign board with the circuits leading 'therefrom to the plug board, parts of two of which are illustrated connected in multiple, the switches for each of said plug boards being illustrated diagrammatically. Fig. 2 is an end view of oneof the flasher switches. Fig. 3 is a detailed perspective view of one of the removable switch contacts. Fig. lis a longitudinal section, and Fig. 5 is a plan view of a multiple socket plug box. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic View showing the manner of arranging the circuits in order to secure certain eifectsin producing a moving picture upon the sign. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing a part of the sign board and a partof the plug board and the connecting circuits. Figs. 3, 9 and l() are front views of portions ot' sign boards showing different arrangements of the lights thereon. Fig. ll is a Specification of Letters Patent.

ratentea aan ia, ioao.,

Serial No. 25,035.

sectional view through one of the lights and its reflector of the construction shown in 10. Figs. 12 and 13 are sectionally detailed views showing diierent arrangements of lights.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the

numeral l designates a display board that and preferably will be studded with lights u in this manner. in other words, the board comprises practicallya solid bankof lights or of areas capable of illumination. By illuminating selected lights in this bank, any desired figure or design )may be made to appear upon the board and by illuminating in rapid succession selected groups of lights, a figure may be made to appear to move upon or across the board. rllhis has been indicated in Fig. l where two successive positions of the same figure are indicated and designated by the numerals 3 and t, respectively. lt is to be understood thatxthese two iigures are not simultaneously illuminated., but that the hgure marked 3 first is shown and then put out, after which the figure marked a is immediately lighted up giving the effect of a iigure in motion walking from the position marked 3 to the position marked a. @bviously these successive positions may be as numerous and as close together as is desired or necessary to produce the.desir`ed impression of motion.

rlfhe means for illuminating the desired lights to form an Oiven fi ure are as fole y e g lows:

llhe circuit through each light must be capable of separate closure so that any desired light or lights may be illuminated, and for this purpose one terminal of each light is preferably grounded to the board in any suitable or well-known manner the ground being connected to one pole of the generator 5, or other suitable source of current, by means of the wire 6. The other terminal of each light is connected to ya corresponding jack or socket 7, formed in a plug board 8, by means of a wire 9. The

ioo y iio plug board 8 has a number of jacks or sockets corresponding to the number of lights or illuminated areas on the sign board 1. The arrangement of'the jacks and sockets on the plug board 8 preferably corresponds with the arrangement of the lights on the sign board, although this is not essential so long as the arrangement is such that each jack may be identified with its light on the sign board. The connection between the lights and jacks is preferably a permanent one. A. plurality of identical plug boards, the corresponding jacks of which are connected in multiple in the manner of the wellknown multiple telephone switch-board, are preferably employed for a purpose which will be hereinafter setforth. A portion of a second plug board is shown in F ig. 1 being indicated by the numeral 10 and havy ing formed therein a plurality of jacks or sockets 7 which are wired in multiple with the jacks or sockets on the board 8, the con necting wires being shown as formed into the cable 11.

The cable 11 is shown as continuing past the board 10 where it may be connected to any number of additional plug boards as may be desired. Each plu'g board has associated with it a switch or flasher 12. rlhis flasher may be of any suitable construction, but, as shown, comprises a stationary drum of insulating material 13, in which are set a plurality of stationary contact bars 14, the number of contact bars as provided being equal to the maximum number of successive positions which it is desired to show upon the board for the production of one complete moving picture. Each contact bar is provided with means for connecting it with a number of jacks equal to the maximum number of lights which it is necessary to illuminate in illustrating any one position of the moving picture. In' producing the moving picture effect it is necessary to illuminate at one time but a small fraction of the lights upon the board, and, therefore, the connections between the plug board and any one contact bar 14 need be only a fraction of the number of lights upon the board. For example, the total number of lights upon the board may be several thousand,

while the number of lights necessary to produce any particular figure may be, say, one

hundred. ln such case each contact bar 14 need have but one hundred connecting points 15. The connecting points 15 may be sockets into which plugs on the leads 16 are inserted, or the leads 16 may be permanently or otherwise attached to the bar 14 at points 15. The leads 16 at their free ends are provided with plugs or other suitable means of connection which are capable of being inserted into the jacks or sockets 7 of the plug boards 8.

As stated, the number of switch bars 14 is equal to the number of different positions which it is desired to show for a given moving picture, the leads connecting with the first contact bar being plugged into the jacks on the plug board corresponding with the lights on the sign board which must be illuminated to produce the first position of the desired picture. rlFhe leads from the second contact bar are plugged into jacks corresponding with the lights of the second position, and so on, until all the lights necessary -to produce all the successive positions of the given picture have been connected through their corresponding jacks with the appropriate contact bars of the switch. The switch 12 has a movable switch arm 17 which is preferably arranged to move upon a pivot and have its free end brought into Contact with the ends of the contact bars 14 iu succession. The pivoted end of the arm 17 is connected by means of wires 18, 19 and 20 with one contact 21 of a two-way main switch 22, the central contact'23 of'which is connected by means of a wire 24 with the generator or other sources of current 5.

lt will be seen that when the switch 22 is engaged with the contact 21, and the switch arm 17 is engaged with one of the contact bars 14, a circuit will be closed through the generator, switch 22, the switch arm 17 and connecting wires, a Contact bar 14, the group of leads leading from such contact bar, the jacks into which such leads are inserted, the wires 9 leading from such acks to the corresponding lights on the board, the board 1, the ground wire 6 and back to the generator. Thus a group ofvlights upon the board will be illuminated showing a given position of the figure corresponding to the first' contact bar 14. lf, now, the arm 17 is turned about its pivot, it will move off thel first contact bar 14, thus breaking the lcircuit through the first group of lights7 and will engage the second contact bar 14 and illuminate the second group of lights representing the next position of the moving ligure. Thus by rotating the arm 17 so as to cause it to sweep over all of the Contact bars 14 in succession, all of the successive positions producing the moving picture will be illuminated, one after the other, and the desired effect produced. By rotating the arm 17 at proper speed, it will be seen that any desired rapidity of the illumination of the successive positions may be secured. The arm 17 may be moved by hand or by power as by means of a belt or chain 25, indicated in Fig. 2, and leading from any suitable source of power, (not shown). As illustrated, only fourfvcontact bars 14 are provided, but obviously there may be as many of these contact bars as are necessary, depending upon the number of posi-tions which it is desired to use. rl`he construction of the switch 12 is also similarly shown diagrammatically, and the integree arrangementand specific mode ot operation or the Contact members may be modilied in any suitable manner.

Figs. 2 and 3 show a construction by which the stationary contacts of the switch may be varied in length so as to produce the desired period of illumination for each position of the picture without requiring a variation in the speed of movemen'tot the contact arm 17 Thisresult is accomplished by lproviding the contact bars 11i with removtated continuously ata liXed speed, thereby illuminating the positions successively and each tor the desired period, thepicture being repeated over and over again for each complete rotation ot the arm 17, it that is the desired way ot showing the picture.

lt it is desired to show, in connection with` a moving pictureofJ a figure, some stationary object, such as an article ol furniture, or such as the block indicated by the numeral 29, in llig. 1, that result may be accomplished by providing a supplemental contact bar 30 permanently connected in the circuit by means oit a wire 31. Leads 32 connect the contact points or sockets 33 ot the bar 30 with the desired jacks on the board 8, which correspond with the lights forming the stationary article 29. "With .this arrangement it will be seen that the article 29 will remain continuously illuminated during the showing of the picture, while. the separate positions or 'iigures conn stituting the moving elements ot the picture, are successively illuminated and put out by the movement of the switch arm 17.

elf] here it is desired to show diilerent com plete. pictures or advertisements upon. the

lboard interchangeably, then a plurality et plug boards are provided connected ,in multiple as described, each ot these boards being provided with its own switch 12, tired con tact 30 and connecting wires as already described. Any number of these plug boards and associated switches can be employed, depending upon the number o'l-diilerent complete pictures or advertisements which it is desired to have ready to display. ln the circuit leading from the main switch 22 to each ot the switches 12 is preferably ar'- ranged a switch 311 so that all but one of the plug boards and associated switches may be cut out.

The object of the two-way main switch 22 is to permit the entire bank of lights constituting the sign to be illuminated simultaneously when desired, so as to cause a brilliant displayirporthe purpose-ot attracting attention. ller example, before showing the advertisements represented by one ot the switches `12, the operator can vswing the switch 22 away trom .thecontact 21 and into engagement with the contact `lpwhich is connected to wires from the cable 11 which contains wires leading to each of the lights on the sign board. "ln this waythe entire banlr ot lights is illuminated. hitter illuminating the entire board this way for a moment the operator swings the switch 22 baclr into engagement with the contact 21,

closes the; switch 3d and starts the operation ot the switch arm 17, thus showing the successive positions or figures forming the lirst pictureor advertisement. When this has been completely shown or repeated the des ired number oi times the loperator opens y the iirst switch 34 andr closes the second switch 2%, and then starts the switch arm 17 ot the second switch 12 into operation, thus displaying an entirely different moving picture or advertisement. lt desired,' the` operator may swing over the switch 22 between the successive exhibitions so as to at tract attention illuminating the lentire sign board momentarily.

ln some cases it may be necessary to show one part of a iie'ure stationary in successive positions ot the gure, while another part is indicated in ditlerent positions so as to represent motion. For this purpose certain lights on the hoard will have to be illuminated in each oi' several suc essive positions.

The same thing -will occur where a given Y its cart of two different positions light forms L e. To accomplish this the in a given pictur arrangement sho be employed.

Referring to Fig. G, it be assumed that in the tiret two positions oit the ligure, the leg 36 rer stationary, the heel and toe lights being indicated at 37 and 38, respectively, while the leg 39 moved trom a position in which the heel and toe are vtermed by lights ll0 and Il to a positionin which the heel and toe are termed ley lights l2 and d3. will be seen that the lights 37 and 38 must he illuminated tor both ot these positions. rllhe contact bar 1lia oi' the switch12 corresponds with the rst ot these positions while the contact bar 1li-b correspends with the second position. lt' is neceslila and the lights l2 and 413 only with the' contact bar 1an. Vlhis may be conveniently accomplished by using a multiplesocket plug da, such asis shown in detail in Figs.'

un in fl, 5 and 6 mayist fl and 5. This multiple connection "may vhe of any suitable construction, but that illus- 1 trated comprises a plug 45 adapted to be inserted in one of the jacks or sockets 7 of the plug board, this plug 45 being connected to a body 46 to which are attached a plurality of jacks or sockets 47. A lead 16a from the bar 14a will be inserted into one of the sockets 47 while a lead 16b from the bar 14b will be inserted into a second socket 47, the plug 45 of the connector 44 being inserted into the jack 7 of the plug board 8 corresponding to the light 37. rlhus the light 37 will be illuminated whether the switch arm 17 is in contact with the bar 14a or the bar 14h. ln the same way, if the light 37 is to be illuminated in three positions of the figure, a4 lead from the contact bar 14'3 will be inserted into a third socket 47 in the connector 44. Connectors having different numbers of sockets may be provided, the maximum number of sockets for any of the connectors being equal to the number of contact bars 14. ln this way it will be seen that it is possible to illuminate a certain light, or lights, for every position of the figure. Any number of connectors 44 may be employed, depending upon the number of lights which it is necessary to illuminate in more than one position.

lt will be seen that a condition may arise where it is necessary to illuminate a light in more than one position under other cir-- cumstances than that of a certain light 1ndi eating a stationery part of the figure. For example, the light 48 in Fig. 6 requires to be illuminated in both the first and second positions. in the first position it represents a light forming a part of the outline of the front of theleg 39, while in the second position it forms apart of the outline of the back of the leg 39. lt will be illuminated in each position, however, by the use of one of the multiple connectors 44. llt will be seen that this condition will occur whenever there is an intersection of the outlines of different positions wherethe successive positions overlap.

Fig. 8 shows a fragment of a board which may be conveniently used for laying out a picture. As shown, this chart has marked or printed on it a series of circles 50 arranged in the same relation asthe lights on the sign board and equally numbered as such lights. rllhe artist preparing the layout of the picture traces on this chart a diagram of the figures to be represented, as indicated in heavy dotted lines. rlhe circles which the lines of this diagram cross indicate the lights to be illuminated in'order to produce the desired outline. Each circle may conveniently be designated by a reference number in which case the jacks on the boa'rd 8 would be similarly numbered as indicated in Fig. 7

The operator, in plugging up Vthe board preparatory to showing the picture, would,

therefore, plug into the jacks having numbers corresponding tothe numbers of the marked circles on the chart. In this way the operator could readily plug up the board 8 correctly, regardless of whether the arrangement of the jacks onthe board corresponded with the arrangement of the lights on the signboard, or not. if the arrangement of the jacks strictly corresponded with the arrangement of the lights, however, it would be possible for the operator to tell whether or not his picture was correctly plugged merely by the appearance of the board 8.

l rounded by a polygonal reflector 60, the outlines of the reflectors being such as to com pletely cover the surface of the board. `When lights are illuminated the entire area ofthe surrounding reflector appears bright so that by lighting contiguous lights a solid or continuous illuminated surfrface is produced as distinguished from a surface or line composed of separate spots as is the case where lights without reflectors are used.

Fig. 12 shows an arrangement of lights for the board in which large lamps alternate with small lamps. With this construction the lamps may be placed very close together so as to cover the board practically solid. Moreover by using combinations of large lamps and small lamps, different degrees of brightness for diHerent parts of am, figure may be produced, thereby producing the effect of shading. Furthermore, some of the lights may be of one color and some of another. For example, all the large lights white and the small lights red, in which case, by forming a figure partly with whitelights and partly with red lights, contrasting color effects may be produced. 0bviously, the lights may be assorted colors so that any desired color combination can be effected.

Fig. 13 shows an arrangement oflights adapted to produce similar effects, the small lights being of elongated shape. Obviously our invention is not limited to any specific arrangement of lights and illuminated areas.

The mode of operation of the invention may be varied to suit the particular details of construction employed, and the conditions under which the invention is to be utilized. lf the embodiment of the invention is one intended for out-'door advertising the sign board will preferably,be of as large dimensions as possible and will be ase-aries mounted in some conspicuous space-for instance, on top of a building. All of the mechanism eXcept the sign board will preferably be located at some suitable point within the building. llt will be seen that the wiring from the sign board to the plug board 8 is preferably permanent so that the pictures to be displayed may be changed without necessitating rany change in the sign board or the performance of any operation outside of the building.

llnpreparing the apparatus for exhibition the dierent pictures will first be laid out in some suitable manner as upon boards such as indicated in Fig. 8, which will be given to the operator; the operator will then take the leads from the rst ot the contact bars la and plug the same' into jacks corresponding with the lights to be illuminated to form the iirst position of the figure. He will then take the leads from the second contact bar and .plug them into the jacks corresponding to the second osition oit the figure. Where the same lig ts are used inv succeeding positions, he willinsert multiple connectors in the manner shown in Fig. 6. He will continue in this way until yall of the positions are plugged. rll`he stationary objects which are to be illuminated continuously throughout the picture are plugged from the fixed contact 30,

to the corresponding jacks on the plug board. The operator will then go to the second plug board and following the diagram indicating the second complete picture or advertisement to be shown, will plug the successive positions from the diiierent contact bars of the second switch 12 to the propel' jackson the second plug board to produce the desired positions for the-se'c--v ond picture. Obviously, it makes no diiTerence whether some of the same lightsA are to be illuminated in the second picture as the lirst, as, while onerplug board is in use,

all of the others are cut out. lThe operator mayv proceed in this manner to setup as many complete pictures as there are plug boards. All this may be done in the day time when the board is .not in use. When the time comes `for displaying the advertisement they operator closes one of the switches 34 and starts the corresponding switch arm 17 in rotation. ,The first advertisement or moving picture 'is then displayed upon .the board and repeated as many times as desired. The other pictures which have been set .up on the diiierent plug boards may then be displayed in such order and for such periods of time as the operator sees fit. v`When it is necessary to change a icture set up on one of the plug boards, it is .simply "necessaryy to pull out the plugs and rearrange them in such'a way as to produce the. new picture or advertisement. Ubviously', the leads from' anyy` of the contact expression to be understood as generic and bars maywhen desired, be so arranged as to produce reading matter instead of a picture, and by utilizing a long contact member for the contact-bar, or by temporarily stopping the movement of the arm 17, the reading matter or picture, as the case may be, may be displayed for as long a period of time as is desired. By providing a sutilcient number of contact bars 11i and by operating the arm 17 rapidlypthe successive pictures may be caused to follow each other as quickly as is necessary to produce a moving picture of any required rapidity of action and continuity of movement.

Thus it will be seen that the sign of our invention is universal, so to speak, and can be made to show any desired picture or design. lt can also be made to show illuminated figures having the effect of a moving picture, or to show such i 'ures in combination with fixed objects. s many ditferent advertisements or announcements may be shown as the capacity of the apparatus will permit, and these announcements or advertisements mayabe changed from time to time without great labor and without requiring any change in the apparatus other than the mere shifting of plugs from one set ci jacks to another. ln other words, the operation is no more complicated than that of plugging in a number of different calls on a tele-phone switch board.

ln the claims we have referred to a sign comprising a bank of' lamps. We wish this as referring to any arrangement of lights or areas capable vof illumination to produce figures or designs of any character. 1Where we haveireferred in the claims to a plug board or to a plug board having lult jacks, we do not wish to be limited to any4 specific construction of board or oit sepavratable connector, but intend to cover any arrangement by which a plurality of conv tact members connected .with lamps is proil@ vided, in which separable connection 'can be made with the contacts corresponding to the diiferent lamps.

, By referring to jacks and plugs we do not intend to limit ourselves to any specific ilo arrangement or construction of separable connection. The same is true with reference to leads, switch contacts and multiple socket plugs. A

While we have illustrated and described i2@ certain specific embodiments of our invention we realize that it is susceptible ot wide application and variousmodifications, and we desire to cover the principle of our invention-broadly and not to be limited to me the precise construction set forth. f l

Having thus described our invention we claimt' 1. An illuminated display sign comprising the combination with a bank of lamps, t3@

will

of a plug board having a plurality o jacks, each jack being permanently connected in circuit with a lamp, a multiple contact switch, and means for connecting the contacts of' the switch with groups of jacks.

2. In an illuminated sign, the combination with a bank of lamps, of a plug board having a plurality otjacks, each jack being permanently connected in circuit with one of the lamps, a switch comprising a plurality of contact bars and a contact arm, one terminal of each of said lamps being grounded, a connection between said ground and said contact arm, a plurality of leads connected to each of said contact bars, each of said leads being provided at its free end with a plug adapted to be inserted in any of the jacks of said plug board.

3. An illuminated display sign comprising the combination with a bank of lamps, of a plug board having a plurality of jacks, each of which is connected in the circuit of one of said lamps, a switch, and interchangeable means for connecting the contacts of said switch so as to close the circuit through any desired group or groups of jacks on said plug board.

4. An illuminated display sign comprising the combination with a bank of lamps, of a plurality of plug boards connected in multiple, corresponding jacks on each of said plug boards being connected in circuit r with the same lamp in said bank of lamps.

5. An illuminated display sign comprising the combination with a bank of lamps, of a plurality of plug boards connected in multiple, each board having a plurality of jacks, corresponding jacks in the different boards being connected in circuit with the same lampin said bank of lamps, a multiple Contact switch associated with each board and means for connecting the contacts ot said switches with any desired jacks in said board.

6. An illuminated display sign comprising the combination with a bank of lamps, of a plurality of plug boards connected in multiple, each of said boards having a plurality of jacks, corresponding jacks in the different boards being connected to the same lamp in said bank, each of said boards having'a switch associated therein, each of said switches comprising a plurality of stationary contact bars and a movable contact arm adapted to contact successively with said bars, and leads connected with each of said bars and adapted to be plugged into the jacks of the corresponding plug board.

7. In an illuminated sign, the combination with a bank of lamps, one terminal of each of which is grounded, of a plurality of plug boards connected in multiple, corresponding liacksin each of said boards being connected in circuit with one terminal of the same light in said bank, a multiple Contact switch associated with each of said boards, leads connected to the stationary contacts of said switch and adapted to be plugged into any of the jacks of the corresponding board, and circuit completing connections from the movable contacts of said switches to the grounded terminals of said lamps, and means for cutting in or out said boards and switches.

8. In an illuminated sign, the combination with a bank of lamps, one terminal of each of which is grounded, of a plurality of plug boards connected in multiple, corresponding jacks in each of said boards connected in circuit with oneI terminal of the same light in said bank, a multiple contact switch associated with each of said boards, leads connected to the stationary contacts of said switch and adapted to be plugged into any of the jacks of the corresponding board, and circuit completing connectionsv from the movable contacts of said switches to the grounded terminals of said lamps, means for cutting in or out said boards and switches, and means for simultaneously closing the circuits of all of the lamps in said bank.

9. ln an illuminated sign, the'combination with a bank of lamps, of means for successively closing the circuits of selected groups of lamps of said bank to produce the effect of a motion picture and separate means for maintaining the circuits through a selected group of lamps of said bank closed during the illumination of successive: groups of lamps forming the changing part of the picture, any of the lamps ot said bank being capable of inclusion in either of said groups.

10. An illuminated display sign comprising the combination with a bank of lamps of a multiple contact switch, and means for interchangeably connecting any contact of said switch in circuit with any lamp or group of lamps.

ll. An illuminated display sign comprising the combination with a bank of lampsl of a multiple contact switch, a plurality of leads connected with each contact of said switch, and means for interchangeably establishing an electrical connection between any of said leads and any of said lamps.

12. In an illuminated sign, the combination with a bank of lamps, of means for successively closing the circuits of groups of lamps arranged to form successive positionsof a moving picture and means for closing the circuit of the same lamp in successive positions where such lamp is to be illuminated for more than one position of the picture.

13. In an illuminated sign, the combination with a bank of lamps, of a plug board having a series of jacks, veach permanently connected in circuit with one of said lamps,

a multiple Contact switch, and means for tacts of said switch and adapted to be mnnectng one or more of the contacts of plugged into any of said jacks and multiple 10 said switch with any jack. Y Socket connectors adapted to be plugged into 14. In an illuminated sign, the combnasaid jacks and adapted to have leads from 5 tion wfh a bank of lamps, of a plug board different switch contacts plugged into the having a plurality of jacks, each connected sockets thereof. n circuit with one of said lamps, a multiple WILLIAM P. HAMMOND. Contact switch, leads connected with the con- EDMUND QUINCY MOSES. 

